Anarchism: A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas

Anarchists have been present in Egypt before, during, and after the revolution, but until today, they have yet to organize a mass grouping under the banner of anarchism. The Ultras of Egypt’s football clubs have for years been associated with anarchist ideas and actions, and they are widely credited with having initiated the level militancy that brought down the Mubarak government in February of 2011.

Last night, anarchism left the graffitied walls, small conversations, and online forums of Egypt, and came to life in Cairo, declaring itself a new force in the ongoing social revolution sparked two years ago with multiple firebombings against Muslim Brotherhood offices. Later, the government shutdown the “Black Blocairo” and “Egyptian Black Bloc” Facebook pages, but they were soon re-launched.

“Wait for our next attacks as we respond to the closing of our official page…” they posted in a statement posted online this morning (translated below).

Today, the black bloc made its first mass-appearance in Tahrir Square, and, shortly after, firebombed the Shura Council (Egyptian Parliament), tore down a section of the protest-barrier walls leading from Tahrir Square, and, with others, engaged in fighting against security forces.

These statements and actions are in preparation for tomorrow’s second anniversary of the revolution, and for what some are calling “a whole new level” or protest in Egypt.

Anarchism and the black bloc concept has grown in recent months across Egypt, Stemming from various anarchist grouping/circles that coalesced during the revolutionary period. A massive distrust among the youth of all political parties, a sharp critique of the role of religion within governance, and the inspiration of anarchist resistance around the world (largely symbolized by the late-2008 revolt in Greece) have helped it catalyze.

Protesters teargassed in Egypt

Below is the statement of Black Blocairo in regards to the removal of their websites, their firebombing attacks against government offices, and their calls for revolt:

“Yesterday and after we finished our event, we met some of the revolutionary movements and we decided to unite together in our next attacks, hence we did our first two attacks, as we told you yesterday:

1- Setting fire to Ikhwan (Muslim Brotherhood) online office.

2- Setting fire in the Ikhwan office in Al-Manial street in Cairo.

And we announced our revolution since today in Al-Tahrir Square untill Egypt and it’s people get their rights back! Life, Freedom and social justice!

Black Blocairo, The Hooligans

Wait for our next attacks as we respond to the closing of our official page…”

n/a There are preliminary ideas about anarchism and the difficulty it faces. The short piece of writing is sombre in places but ends on a positive note. It is an attempt to separate anarchism from other ideologies.

Why are Anarchists and Libertarians divided over Rojava? In my opinion the best attitude towards Rojava is “supportive and being critical” at the same time. Criticizing it alone and keeping distance from it does not benefit our current anarchist movement. This attitude again shows incapability of recognizing the reality of the movement, and would bring the b […]

none This is by an author who summerized the " 60's civil war in the U.S." in a few short paragraphs. I add in a long intro slamming the media etc. for reducing the 60's to ONLY the civil rights movement (leaving out the more radical/revolutionary currants like the Black Panthers), and the peace movement (leaving out the equally massive i […]

The heroic Bil'in, Niilin, Nabi Saleh, Qaddum, Ma'sara, and Sheikh Jarrah keep the weekly flame from extinguishing. It is hard for many activists when the real meaning of the struggle are not concrete achievable gains, but a global worldwide struggle. This week, the concrete and the global merged when the struggle against the destruction of Susiya […]

The main means of all ruling elites throughout history to force the people to submit to their rule was to recruit metaphysical powers - magic, deities and other kinds of lies to frighten people into submission and accepting authority. People who challenge these lies were the main enemy of the rulers all along history.

Debate among Anarchists over Raising Demands A response to Crimethinc's statement, "Why We Don't Make Demands." Wayne argues that revolutionary anarchists should propose to movements which they are part of to raise militant, radical, demands. Done in dialogue with the people, it moves the struggle forward and challenges the state and the […]

A couple of hundred people came to the pro choice solidarity rally in Dublin, Ireland last nigh organised by the WSMt. It was called to protest against the prosecution of a women in Belfast for supplying her daughter with the abortion pill.

At noon, in the border town of Suruç in Turkish Kurdistan, a bomb ripped through the bodies of communists, socialists, and anarchists who were on their way to assist in the rebuilding of Kobane. Tens of people were killed, many more injured. One Black Rose member was present assisting in preparations for a campaign to support the rebuilding of Kobane and Roj […]

Devrimci Anarşist Faaliyet (DAF) statement on the bombing of the Amara Cultural Center in Suruç (Pîrsus) Yesterday, nearly three hundred people set off from different cities, with the call of Federation of Socialist Youth Associations; in order to rebuilt Kobanê, which was tried to be looted by the ISIS. Today, arriving Suruç (Pîrsus), just before leaving fo […]

Solidarity protests spread across Ireland News broke on the 19th June that a Belfast woman is to stand trial for helping her daughter procure an abortion. In response on 24th June a letter was handed in signed by 215 abortion activists admitting that they are guilty of breaking the law by either taking or helping someone procure the Early Medical Abortion (E […]

In recent weeks, there have been some texts by unions in Spain, concerning the Libertarian Federation of Mexico, his claims to be supported by "laCNT, the AIT, the FAI and IFA" and his allegations of the Anarchist Federation from Mexico. ---- The AIT has never been in contact with the Libertarian Federation of Mexico. ---- Perhaps one source of con […]

The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU: Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions) - Gaza reaffirmed its "unwavering support" for BDS and the boycott of the Histadrut. ---- Occupied Palestine, July 15, 2015 - On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the movement Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS), the Palestinian General F […]

"Alternative Libertaire amplify calls for international mobilization for the release of A. Koltchenko but the Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, detained and prosecuted within the scope of the same charges in this case." ---- Activists of Alternative Libertaire are met, on the occasion of their twelfth congress on 23, 24 and 25 May 2015 hail the str […]

This initiative is promoted by a group of militants and activists from different social movements and unions of Aragon. We are people who participate individually in anarcosindicatos, student organizations or social centers as well as other collectives and base assemblies both districts as sector. ---- We understand that the 15M supposed an inflection point […]

Attempted Extension Anarchism is a series of trial to explain the basics of this philosophical and political movement and make them available through the development of short texts on various subjects grouped in themes. All text can be found using the wording "extension" and the names of topics. ---- The first text is part of the introduction to th […]

Anarchists are still held in custody in Eskisehir. The prosecution have ordered to arrest one extra person (she was detained at her home), so it is 18 people in total. Detained comrades are awaiting trial (it should happen tomorrow (28.7). The judge has demanded extra detention time, normally they should be released after 24 hours. ---- It looks like a repea […]

Letter accompanied a recent dole payment. It advertised a 'networking and interview day for Irish Teachers DIRECTLY with UK schools' (emphasis in original). The exclamation mark in the letter's heading - 'Teaching Opportunities in the UK!' - illustrates neatly how readily, even enthusiastically the Irish state is prepared to export I […]

Black Rose / Rosa Negra is publishing this news summary as a notice to our friends and comrades who are members of teachers' unions in the United States about the brutal war-mongering activities of the Turkish state and their repression of the segments of the labor movement that have been in solidarity with Rojava and the Kurdish Freedom Movement. Teach […]

In 2012, at the founding conference of our organization, First of May Anarchist Alliance (M1), members of the anarchist and libertarian journal, The Utopian, were in attendance. There were several discussions of affiliation and movement towards building a collaborative political tendency between M1 and The Utopian. The reality being that there already existe […]

Anarsi Inisiyatifi'nin verdigi bilgiye göre, "Eskisehir anmas?nda 17 yoldas?m?z gözalt?na After lengthy procedures between collectives, a new chapter in the organizational history of the anarchist movement in Greece attempted to open. ---- For two years he held an unprecedented political dialogue, with a huge agenda that covers most of the issues c […]